First of all let me start by saying that the whole box set of thirteen forty-five minute television programs has a total running time of 670 Minutes! That is over 11 hours of viewing which works out at a cost of just over $4 per episode which is great value if you like a bit of horror entertainment for just under an hour a day for 2 weeks solid. Basically that is how my family watched it. We would do an episode a day and it helped fill that gap after work with a nice cup of tea and biscuits. Anyhow, onto the review.The Hammer House of Horror Box Set is a must for any fan of Hammer Horror but it is not for everybody. It is more of a nostalgic item which brings back the memory of this old Hammer Horror series from the early 1980s. If you like Hammer Horror and have not seen this series then you should know that it contains more modern stories sort of in the vein of "Tales of the Unexpected" or "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" but with all the Hammer hallmarks - corny acting, daft plots and lots of women who are chosen for their looks over their ability to act - and what bad taste the casting directors have!... which is why we love it. There are many actors with bit roles who actually went on to become popular and mainstream like Pierce Brosnan and Brian Cox. Some of the shows are extremely experimental and most of the plots are silly but they are also highly original. It is a case of hit or miss with a lot of them, but you will laugh and enjoy them all the more for it with a sort of "What the hell was that I just watched?" grin.
There are 4 discs which break down into 3 + 3 + 3 + 4. The transfer quality is very good, but there are some artifacts in the image but if you do not look for them you will not see them. The only problem I have with the DVD is the fact that you can not just play each program directly. You need to basically choose the first scene in the selection that comes up and you can not help but notice what is in store for each show. It is a bit of problem that should not have been there. There is a small booklet with the box set and some extras like bios and slide show galleries.
I will divide each show into good or fair or bad.
DISK 1:
(1)The House That Bled to Death - GOOD
Basically a story about a haunted house that starts to spurt blood. Memorable kids party scene and a good twist ending.
(2)The Silent Scream - FAIR
Has Peter Cushing and Brian Cox in a story about imprisonment experiments. Good at times but also falls flat in some parts.
(3)The Two Faces of Evil - FAIR
Story about a hitchhiker that causes a car accident. Is her husband really her husband or the deranged hitchhiker? Good at times but falls flat in the end.
DISK 2:
(4)The Mark of Satin - BAD.
About a paranoid man that thinks there is a satanic plot against him. Very experimental piece.
(5)Witching Time - FAIR.
A witch arrives in the future and drives a man mad in his home. Not bad but a little corny at times.
(6)Visitors From the Grave - GOOD
Woman kills a man who tries to rape her - then she starts seeing him again. One of the better programs on this disk. Very good.
DISK 3:
(7)Rude Awakening - FAIR
About a man who keeps have a reoccurring nightmare about killing his wife. Very experimental but not bad.
(8)Charlie Boy - GOOD
Apart from the hammy acting this one is quite good. About a voodoo doll that gets out of control. Actually has a good plot.
(9)Children of the Full Moon - GOOD
You will remember this one if you are a fan of the series. Basically a run in with a werewolf family changes a couples life. Lots of fun.
DISK 4:
(10)The Thirteenth Reunion - GOOD
Starts off really bad and then turns into a great story that is very original. Excellent show.
(11)The Carpathian Eagle - BAD
A silly story about a killer femme-fatal. Has a few moments of Pierce Brosnan with his Oh-irish accent.
(12)Guardian of the Abyss - GOOD
Not a bad story about a cult that uses a mirror to incarnate a demon.
(13)Growing Pains - FAIR
Silly ghost story about a scientist family and an adopted boy. Some good scenes though but a silly ending.
Overall this is a fantastic box set with lots of different stories that vary in theme and type and will keep you entertained. Just remember that each show was produced with less funds than the Hammer Horror Movies and it shows, but all in all great stuff and I am very happy that I bought this box set.
Role on with the DVD box set of "Hammer House of Mystery of Suspense"!.... or whatever that other series was called.
